As predicted last week, Denise Van Outen has quit the Capital Radio breakfast show just six months in to her twelve month contract. Van Outen, of course, joined Johnny Vaughan as co-host of the show earlier this year in a move designed to help Capital regain its number one status in London, the duo having enjoyed such success presenting the 'Big Breakfast' together.
However, despite the hype surrounding the on air reunion, the Johnny and Denise show remained in third place in the London music radio breakfast show stakes, behind Heart's Jamie Theakston and Magic's Neil Fox. But it is seemingly the early mornings rather than the lacklustre ratings that are behind Van Outen's decision to quit. She reportedly told the new management at Capital owners GCap (introduced as part of Global's takeover) almost as soon as they arrived that the early starts were interfering with her TV work and personal life.
Confirming her departure yesterday, GCap told reporters: "Denise asked for a meeting and made it clear to her new bosses that she wasn't able to handle the early starts as they were impacting on her personal life and her health. It takes a special kind of person to consistently rise early and give the public the level of entertainment they expect each morning. Denise requested the opportunity to break her contract immediately and we obliged".